Mack Cycle Key Biscayne Triathlon Trilogy #1 - TriathlonSprint

My objective was to stay with the pack and finish in better shape (I feel that in previous races I finished the swim so winded that it affected the rest of the race).

First swim in the ocean (actually in a bay, the first two races were in lakes), and the wind generated nice waves, not so good for a point-to-point swim parallel to shore. That made for a tougher than normal swim. Heard a lot of "that was tough". I was able to stay with the pack, but this resulted in me getting pommeled and swam over a few time, although ironically this made me feel like I was in a real triathlon this time. Finished in fairly good shape, which was great, but that got cancelled by...



Relax and try to maintain a steady rythm throughout the swim. This race was much better than usual, but still room for improvement. And swim more.

Transition 1:

Overall my transitions are horrible (more about this in T2 description). But after the swim, we had to do a 1/3 mile run in loose sand to get to the transition area (which accounts for the long time). By the time I got there I was ready to collapse or take a nap (I though napping was the second of the three sports, but was told otherwise by a volunteer). This negated any benefit from finishing the swim in better shape than before.I arrived at the transition tired, and my "transition are rest opportunities" mentality kicked in.



PRACTICE! PRACTICE! And change approach to transitions. I should approach them as an opportunity to make back some of the time against bettr swimmers

Wanting to maintain an avg 19 mph on the straightaways. Overall happy with my bike. I was avg. higher speeds than before and feeling like I was doing less effort...until...Holly Climb Batman! The bridge. I know complaining about a bridge to a group of athletes that normally ride in hills is pitiful, but this being FL I don't have anywhere near me to practice going uphill. I actually did great on the climb, and going downhill at 30+ mph was amazing...until...Holly U-turn, Batman! 200 yrds after the bridge, U-turn and head back uphill again. This time it was much MUCH harder (also against a 10-15 mph wind). Feel that the effort took a lot out of me. The head wind for the rest of the ride forced me to promise my legs that next race I will be sporting aerobars (first time that I think it would have made a difference).



TITS

Next purchase definitely clip-on aerobars.

Let just say that the guy that finished 4th on my age group beat me by 20 seconds, and was better at T2 than me by a full minute. Need to stop thinking of transitions as opportunities to catch my breath. Had the slowest T1 and T2 in my category.


PRACTICE. Get bungi type laces for my shoes.

Was complaining about weather in my previous two races (rainy and windy). Be careful what you wish for. 84 degrees, sunny, hot and 84% humidity. And this is whre it hit me. So if water is 100% humidity, 84% is what? I knew it was going to be a hard one as soon as it started. Was able to keep my 1st mile at 9:30 and then at the end of the 2nd mile I saw my garmin and told me (with a frowny face) that my pace for it was 10:30. I decided to push and finished the last 1.1 miles hard. Finished ready to throw up, which told me I learn how to push myself. This was my first time that I felt like I pushed as hard as I could (learning to race, I guess). And yet, disappointed at that 2nd mile. Specially when I learned that the 4th place guy beat me by 20 seconds (podium was more than 5 minutes faster - so no chance there).





Be more consistent. Maintain same pace for first 2 miles and then kick.

Overall very happy. This race is known to be one of the most competitive short distance tris in the area, and yet I moved from a BOP to a MOP in all disciplines (even better if you take away transitions out of the equation).


Good race for me. Definitely the toughest course, conditions, and the most competitive (and largest) field I have done. Decided to sign up for "Clydesdale 185lbs+ 40 years and older as it was a smaller category and thus a smaller swim wave.

Race start was delayed, but overall good organzation. The 1/3 mile beach run between swim exit and transition area was not my favorite.